What makes a good anti-theft travel bag, anyway?
At Sherpani, every one of our bags comes with some form of anti-theft protection.
Chair loop locks, RFID-blocking technology, slash-resistant straps, premium YKK locking zippers; plus, durable, water-resistant materials built to keep up with wherever life takes you.
Which is to say: there's no single best anti-theft travel bag. They all come loaded with security features that keep your belongings safe and help you carry the calm wherever you go. But each one comes with its own unique personality, built for different kinds of adventures—whether that's a long-haul flight or a walk just a few blocks from your hotel.
The bag that keeps your passport and wallet safe in Barcelona may not be the same one you'd want on a road trip through the Sonoran Desert.
Because ultimately, the best travel bag is the one that makes you feel the best. No matter where you are.
That's the thinking behind Sherpani's anti-theft travel bags: our new Carry the Calm Collection. Thoughtful security features designed to help you spend less time worrying about what's in your bag and more time enjoying the journey.
Still, there are a select few that come fully equipped with all the bells and whistles. And they happen to be the same bags our customers keep coming back to, over and over again. But security is only half of the equation. The best bag for your trip still comes down to what you're carrying, how long you're traveling, and how you like to move.
So, which one belongs on your next trip? Let's find out.
5 of our best anti-theft travel bags
1. Vale AT Reversible Crossbody: Best for sightseeing
If your perfect travel day starts right after breakfast and doesn't end until dinner, the Vale AT Reversible Crossbody was made for you.
At 12 liters, the Vale gives you enough room for your phone, tablet, wallet, sunglasses, travel documents, and other daily essentials without feeling like you're hauling around a clunky tote bag. An adjustable crossbody strap keeps your hands free while you take photos, consult the map, hop on the train, or carry your third non-negotiable cappuccino of the day.
But the real win is its reversible, fold-over design. Between two reversible sides, an open or folded silhouette, and the choice between shoulder or crossbody straps, the Vale can technically be styled eight different ways. That means the bag you carried through the airport can look a little different when you head to dinner—no second purse required.
For anti-theft security, the Vale incorporates:
RFID-blocking technology
Locking zippers
Slash-resistant strap and bottom
Chair loop lock
A combination that makes it especially well suited to days spent moving through busy cities and transit hubs.
2. Boston AT Weekender: Best for weekend getaways
Not every trip requires a suitcase. If you're heading somewhere for two or three nights and want to keep your packing to a minimum, the Boston AT Weekender gives you 22 liters of space in an airline-personal-item-sized package.
The roomy main compartment has space for clothing, toiletries, and other travel essentials, while a removable bottom zip compartment gives shoes, laundry, tech, or anything else you'd rather keep separate its own designated space. There's also room for a laptop, plus a trolley sleeve for the bigger trips where the Meridian rolling luggage is along for the ride.
Weekenders tend to spend more time out in the open than rolling luggage or carry-ons do. It might sit beside you at the gate, under your seat, on a train, or next to your table while you grab something to eat. Which is exactly why we built the Boston with:
RFID-blocking technology
YKK locking zippers
Slash-resistant strap and bottom
Chair loop lock
Durable, water-resistant materials
Expanders for added storage
These features deliver the ultimate anti-theft edge, protecting your belongings whether you’re on a train, in the countryside, at the cafe, or at the terminal.
3. Esprit AT Sling: Best for the energetic, hands-free traveler
Phone. Wallet. Passport. Water bottle. Sunglasses. Chapstick. A light layer. Maybe even a tablet…?
If that sounds like your daily packing list, you probably don't need a full backpack weighing you down as you move from the Colosseum to the Vatican and back to your favorite bar for an afternoon aperitivo.
The Esprit AT Sling hits that happy medium between a compact crossbody and a traditional daypack. Its 10-liter teardrop design has room for everyday travel essentials (including a small water bottle and tablet) while keeping everything close and easy to carry.
A phone pocket built into the shoulder strap keeps one of your most-reached-for essentials right where you can see it, while a zippered mesh pocket and interior key leash help prevent smaller items from disappearing into the bottom of your bag.
The Esprit also incorporates:
RFID protection
Hypalon loop zipper locks
Slash-resistant strap and bottom
Chair loop lock
Keychain leash
At just 14.6 ounces, it adds those security features without turning your sightseeing bag into something heavy or cumbersome, while keeping you hands-free throughout the day.
4. Mei AT: Best for lighter days on the go
Some travelers like to be prepared for every scenario, i.e., squeezing as much as they can into their travel crossbody. Others just want to know exactly where the essentials are.
The Mei AT Travel Crossbody is for the second group.
Rather than one large main compartment, the Mei uses three separate, compact compartments that keep everyday essentials organized and within reach. There's space for your phone, wallet, passport, keys, sunglasses, and other small necessities without everything disappearing into the dreaded bag black hole (we've all been there).
That kind of organization can make a surprisingly big difference, especially when you're traveling. When moving through airport security, boarding a train, checking into a hotel, or pulling out your wallet to pay for lunch, knowing exactly where your essentials are means less digging and less time standing around with your bag wide open.
The Mei adds another layer of security with:
RFID protection
Hypalon locking zippers
Slash-resistant strap
Chair loop lock
Two internal dividers for added organization
Both its long crossbody strap and shorter shoulder strap are removable and adjustable, so you can change the way you carry as your day shifts from sightseeing to dinner, all while tracking your 20,000 Euro-steps.
If you like to travel light but organization is non-negotiable, the Mei is a great choice for keeping your must-haves separated, secure, and easy to find. Plus there’s a little room left over for the fun extras you’ll pick up along the way.
5. Soleil AT Multi-Wear Travel Bag: Best all-around travel companion
Okay, if we had to choose just one anti-theft travel bag—particularly for a trip where we didn't know what the itinerary had in store—we'd reach for the Soleil AT Multi-Wear Travel Bag.
That's because the award-winning Soleil is designed to keep up with pretty much anything the day throws at you.
It easily converts between a backpack, a tote, and a crossbody, so you can switch carry styles without unpacking and repacking. Wear it as a backpack while you're navigating the airport, switch to a tote once you've arrived, or throw on the crossbody strap when you want a different hands-free option.
Its 18-liter capacity offers a lot more room than you'd get from a traditional crossbody or sling, while still maintaining an airline-friendly personal item size. A padded sleeve fits laptops up to 14 inches, two exterior water bottle pockets keep hydration on hand, and a trolley sleeve lets the bag slide right onto the handle of your rolling luggage.
Then there are the built-in security features:
RFID-blocking technology
Hypalon zipper locks
Slash-resistant strap and bottom
Chair loop lock
Durable, water resistant materials
We recommend the Soleil to anyone who wants one versatile personal item that can handle the airport, your laptop, sightseeing, and everyday exploring. It’s perfect if you'd rather pack just one adaptable bag over multiple specialized ones. Since it’s on the bigger side of a daily crossbody, it’s meant for those who like to have everything they need close by.
Carry the Calm, wherever you're headed
There are two things a good piece of travel gear should do:
Protect and organize your belongings
Keep you from spending your trip thinking about them at all
Travel is about looking out the train window at an unfamiliar countryside, all rolling hills and red-tiled rooftops. It's about tasting flavors you've never experienced before. It's about connection and curiosity, and maybe wandering a little further than you planned.
That's what Carry the Calm means to us: intentional, functional security built into bags that help you move through the world with confidence—whether that's for 3 miles or 3,000.
Explore Sherpani's anti-theft travel bags and find the best one for wherever you're headed next.
